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8 animals pulled back from the brink of extinction

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Photo 4 of 10

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

4 of 10

Southern white rhino

The southern white rhinoceros is one of the great success stories of conservation. By the late 19th century, there were only about 100 individuals left, with the species hovering dangerously close to extinction. After more than a century of protection, however, the population stands at more than 20,000, primarily in South Africa. The effort offers hope that other, more severely endangered rhinoceros species can also recover — though all species of these great beasts remain highly endangered.

Southern white rhino

The southern white rhinoceros is one of the great success stories of conservation. By the late 19th century, there were only about 100 individuals left, with the species hovering dangerously close to extinction. After more than a century of protection, however, the population stands at more than 20,000, primarily in South Africa. The effort offers hope that other, more severely endangered rhinoceros species can also recover — though all species of these great beasts remain highly endangered.